5 Healthy Sugar Replacements

There are a lot of alternative sweeteners on the shelves in malls. But, what is wrong with sugar? One teaspoon has 15 calories. The Natural sugar in an apple is good, but if you can reduce the added sugar in your diet, you can remove some of the empty calories.

Your daily intake of sugar should be less than 25% in foods such as cereal, ketchup, and cereal. In order to satisfy your sweet tooth try the following options, especially if you are trying to count calories, limit carbs, or deal with diabetes.

1. Stevia

One of the most popular and well-known natural sweeteners is stevia. Humans have been using the sweet leaves for hundreds of years and in Asia diabetic patients for decades. Although it’s not a good source of nutrition, stevia will not affect your blood sugar levels at all.

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This makes it an excellent all-natural sugar alternative choice for diabetics and in addition, it’s also calorie-free. Liquid stevia, a whole-leaf extract doesn’t contain any other ingredients, while powdered stevia contains unnecessary fillers. In addition, the liquid extract is very sweet.

2. Coconut sugar

Coconut sugar has traces of zinc, potassium, calcium, iron, and also antioxidants. Coconut sugar also contains inulin, which is a fiber that can slow down glucose absorption.

Therefore, it is another ideal option for diabetics, because coconut sugar has a minimal effect on your blood sugar levels. Since it doesn’t affect the consistency of the final product, it is an excellent choice for baking. However, it may not be sweet enough for coffee or tea.

3. Pure maple syrup

Unlike the real maple syrup, many products contain some artificial sweeteners, flavors, and colorings, in addition to the main ingredient, fructose corn syrup. On the other hand, pure maple syrup contains only evaporated maple tree sap. It is high in zinc and manganese. A hundred grams of syrup provides 3.8% and 23% of their RDVs respectively.

Zinc is essential for the optimal function of your immune system. Manganese is necessary for a few enzymes which are required for antioxidant defenses and energy production. Deficiencies of each can reduce the responses of your immune system and lower the number of white blood cells.

4. Molasses

Molasses is a thick syrup and it is produced when the sugar cane plant is processed in order to make refined sugar. However, molasses has some important health benefits, unlike refined sugar.

2 tablespoons of molasses contain about 14% of your RDV of copper, which is an important trace mineral whose peptides help rebuild the skin structure for healthy hair, and 30% of the daily requirement of iron for premenopausal women. In addition, it’s also high in magnesium, antioxidants, calcium, and vitamin B6.

5. Date sugar

Essentially, date sugar is dried dates pulverized into a powder. Therefore, it’s very sweet and that should be a surprise if you have ever eaten it before. However, data sugar can’t be used as a direct substitute for sugar, because it doesn’t melt. For example it’s not wise to put it in your coffee. On the other hand, it good for baking. Replace white or brown sugar called for in your recipe with just 2/3 the amount of date sugar, since it can be too sweet.